Advertisement

Langston Hughes' poetry celebrates Black culture, addresses racism in America

05:43
Download Audio
Resume
Poet and writer Langston Hughes in 1945. (Hulton Archive/Getty Images)
Poet and writer Langston Hughes in 1945. (Hulton Archive/Getty Images)

Langston Hughes was born 120 years ago. He's best known for writing powerful poetry and prose. Less known is that he was also a librettist.

At a 1957 visit to the University of Illinois, he gave a poetry reading and attended the premiere of the opera "Esther."

Jim Meadows of WILL in Illinois has the story.

This segment aired on February 8, 2022.

Advertisement

More from Here & Now

Listen Live
Close